Girth



(No Model.)

J. 0. oovBRT.

GIRTH.

Patented Mar. 1, 1892.

PATENT JAMES O. OOVERT, OF TEST TROY, NEW YORK.

GIRTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. `469,965, dated March 1, 1892. Application tiled January 19,1889. Serial No. 2961939. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES C. OOVERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nest Troy, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have -invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal-Girths, of which the following is a specification, refer- .ence being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in animal-girths, designed with special reference to be employed to prevent the dislodgment of blankets from horses.

The impro-.vementsshave reference to the employment of an elastic band or cord, and an adjustable coupling for connecting the band or cord with the other end of the girth for affording elasticity in the girth and for taking up the length of the girth to suit the different-sized animals; have reference to the manner of running the girth through and between the bars of the coupling, to the end of securing readyand easy adjustment and a strong and reliable connection, and have ref.

erence to certain details of construction hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure l is a perspective View of a girth, showing my improvements applied thereto; Fig. 2, a sectional view in detail of thc coupling frame or device; Fig. 3, a detailed perspective view of the same, and Fig.4a detail por-- tion of the elastic cord connected with the nur;

The letter A designates a band of fabric or other suitable material constituting the girth proper, to the ends B and C of which are connected an elastic band or cord and a coupling. The band or cord is designated by the letter D and consists-of elastic webbing, the form in Fig. 1 being in the nature of abroad, iiat, highly elastic, and strong band, and the form in Fig. 4 in the nature of a cord possessing the same qualities of elasticity, durability, and strength. They are connected with the portion B of the girth at a suitable distance from its end, preferably, though not necessarily, far enough to aord a pendent part which may lie between the body of the animal or blanket, and the device constituting the connection between the band or cord and the other portion of the girth. In Fig. l the baud is secured at one end by a line of stitching E, and in Fig. 4 the cord is secured by being stitched at its respective ends directly to the girth or to a strip of fabric F, itself stitched or otherwise connected to the girth. The ends of the cord are preferably placed some distance apart,4 so as to more properly distribute the strains upon the girth. The band and the cord are connected with the other portion of the girth througha coupling consisting of awire frame G, formed with a hook or an eye H and provided with one or more sliding cross-bars I and J. j

The portion O of the girth is fitted to the coupling by passing it between the lower bar of the frame G and the bar I, thence around the bar J and back, over and upon itself, and between said lower bar and the bar I. When thus arranged the strains bind it firmly in the coupling, while it will keep its place when the strains are released, and at the same time the coupling is readily adjustable to different places on the girth, so as to take up or let out the length thereof. The bars I and J being movable on the frame G enable the grip to be increased in tenacity by bringing them closer together, or closer to the lower bar of the frame. The lower bar may be hooked together at its ends, as seen in'Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6,7or may be braced or otherwise secured, as suggested in Figs. 2 and 3. W'hen provided with a hook, it may be used with either the band or a cord, but when constructed with an eye it is principally intended to be used with the band. It is also better and more convenient to provide the band Awith a connecting-link K, preferably made of Wire, and with a loop L or hook M to engage with the hook and eye, respectively, of the coupling. In Fig. 2 I have applied a tubular sleeve or roller O to thelower bar of the frame G, which may be used to prevent chaing the girth.

While I prefer to employ the form of coupling shown and described, it is yet obvious that this form may be departed from in connecting the band or cord to differentplaces of the portionv C of the girth. In using the cord I prefer to engage it directly with the erica..Y

IOO

"coupling, though a link may bc interposed between it and the coupling, as' suggestedinf Fig. 7.

Among the advantages of my improved girth may be noted the fact that the elastic band or cord avoids the necessityof the usual pad which ts the back of the animal at either side of the backbone, which is more or less expensive, which wears through and allows the stuiiing to lose out, which is not so yielding and comfortable to the animal as the girth here described; that with my improvements the girth does not become uncomfortable dur ing the night, as the animal expands from eating after the girth is applied in the evening; that the girth Will give to the expansion of the animals body when lying down, and will also yield to the body in the act of getting up, all of which tend to the increase of utility of the girth. The girthniay 'also be lengthened or shortened to tit animals of various sizes, the band or cord at all times acting with the proper tension to" maintain the girth and blanket in place.

The coupling-frame herein described and shown forms the subject-matter ofauother application filed by me December et, 1891, Scrial No.414,0l6,for girth-couplings, and is not therefore claimed per se herein.

' Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. isl `vice carried by the girth at or near itsother end and with which said loop is adapted to` engage. y

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES' C. COVERT.

Witnesses:

A. B. STEWART, FREDWV. COVERT. 

